(Virginia Beach, VA) On December 9, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center was recognized by the Virginia Green Program as a 2014 Virginia Green Travel Leader. The award was presented at the second annual Virginia Green Travel Conference which was held in Richmond. The Aquariums mission to inspire conservation of the marine environment through education, research and sustainable practices is a natural fit with the Virginia Green Program.

Since the recognition program began five years ago, the Aquarium has received yearly awards for its conservation practices, most notably:

In 2008 the Virginia Aquarium became the first Virginia Green certified attraction in Virginia.

The Aquarium was recognized with a 2013 Virginia Green Travel Star Award as the Commonwealth’s “Green Attraction of the Year.”

In 2011, a Virginia Green Travel Star in the “Most Innovative Green Project Award” category was given to the Aquarium for its E-cycling Program.

Virginia Green is the state’s campaign to promote green practices in tourism. It is a voluntary, recognition program that is run through a unique partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association. Started in 2007, Virginia Green now has more than 1550 participants, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, conference centers, visitor centers, wineries, parks, campgrounds, and many other supporting organizations and businesses.